Embracing the umbilical cord around the neck of the fetus

What is the umbilical cord

In order to understand what the essence of this pathological phenomenon in pregnancy, you need to know the physiology and anatomy. Approximately to the 14th week of pregnancy, the placenta and umbilical cord are formed definitively. These two organs perform metabolic functions between mother and child. They connect the next of kin in a single whole. After the birth and cutting of the umbilical cord, the baby begins to live by himself, the connection with the mother only reminds of his navel.

The umbilical cord is a long cord. It consists of a connective tissue in the middle of which is located one umbilical vein and two arteries. Normally, the length of the umbilical cord is 40 to 60 cm, and the thickness is up to 2 cm. It has been scientifically proven that a pregnant woman is related to a baby by the umbilical cord of the length that her mother's umbilical cord had. That is, there is a genetic predisposition to the length of the umbilical cord. So it is possible that a long umbilical cord (more than 70 cm) as a risk factor is a hereditary phenomenon.

Why does the cord with the umbilical cord of the child happen

There are many myths about the reasons for the cord's entanglement with the umbilical cord of the fetus. One of them is that during pregnancy women were knitted or sewed, which led to the cordation of the umbilical cord. This sign arose long ago, even at the time of delivery of births by midwives. Then the babies with a cord around the neck of the umbilical cord often died. And the reason for this was the lack of experience in midwives. But blamed for the death of children are not midwives, midwives, and, of course, their mothers who were engaged in needlework. In fact, sewing, embroidering, knitting are wonderful ways to calm the nerves of a future mother and the ability to prepare a dowry for your child with your own hands. And although this cause of accusing the baby with the umbilical cord is called a myth, nevertheless it is not necessary to knit and sew pregnant on Sundays and church holidays.

Another common myth is the raising of hands by a pregnant woman, that is, hanging clothes, curtains. Allegedly, high arms raise the umbilical cord of the child's body. But in fact, future mothers need to know that this is not true, and arms lifts are safe for your future son or daughter.

Nowadays, doctors call several of the most common causes of cord injury to the baby's neck. This is a lack of oxygen or intrauterine fetal hypoxia; frequent stresses of his mother; too long umbilical cord and polyhydramnios.

If the length of the umbilical cord is more than 70 cm, it can cause a loop around the neck of the future child. This length, most likely, is a hereditary factor. Polyhydramnios create a large field for the baby to move, activity, which results in the risk of cord embossing. As for oxygen deficiency, this can cause excessive activity of the child, which is uncomfortable, bad and in this way he is looking for an opportunity to help himself. But, unfortunately, it's unfortunate, getting into a loop from the umbilical cord.

It should be noted that the baby itself can get confused in the umbilical cord and get out of it. That is, very often to "unravel" the umbilical cord, you do not need to do anything. That's why future mothers should not immediately worry and worry about the problem.

How to recognize the presence of the cord of the umbilical cord?

Today, there is a certain algorithm for diagnosing the cord with the umbilical cord of the fetus. A pregnant woman is undergoing cardiotocography (CTG). The result of it may be the identification of symptoms of umbilical cord entanglement: a specific type of CTG curve is detected, when from time to time cardiac contractions become more rare. After that do ultrasound.

By the way, in many medical institutions the last research is conducted without CTG. In the process of ultrasound diagnosis, the presence of the umbilical cord entanglement in the neck region is specified. The detected loop can sometimes last very short and does not affect the child's condition at all. After all, not every collar represents a danger. The statistics testify: only in 10% of similar cases there are different complications.

In midwifery, the most reliable method of determining the influence of cord embryology on the fetus is dopleromethy. It makes it possible to study the state of uteroplacental blood flow and draw appropriate conclusions. When the neck of the baby is wrapped around the umbilical cord, the above studies are repeated to ensure the normal state of the fetus.

How does the cord of the cord affect the course of labor?

You should know that the cord of the baby's cord is of different types. It can be tight and not very, single and multiple, combined or isolated (around the limbs and neck of the child). The greatest danger to the baby is a double cord wrap around the neck or a tight multiple accent. This accent also leads to the onset of hypoxia.

The most common variety is a single and not a tight cord around the neck of the fetus. In most cases, it does not present a danger to the mother and the child.

If the umbilical cord is confirmed at the time of birth, the obstetrician-gynecologist chooses the optimal tactics for the birth process. With the proper management of childbirth and a child, there is nothing threatening the child. The doctor controls the child's heartbeat every 30 minutes during the fights, and if the frequency of heart contractions does not meet the norm, then the decision is made to stimulate births to accelerate them. Then, when the baby's head appears, the midwife releases his neck from the formed umbilical cord loops.

If a multiple or tight double entrainment is diagnosed during pregnancy, then, as a rule, signs of hypoxia of the fetus are also recorded. With this accretion in the 2nd stage of labor there is a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, which leads to a significant decrease in the supply of blood to the tissues of the baby. This is acute hypoxia or asphyxiation (strangulation).

In addition, the tension of the umbilical cord during delivery can provoke premature placental abruption. That is why, if such a dangerous appearance of the umbilical cord is detected after 37 weeks of pregnancy, a decision is made to conduct a cesarean delivery method. Under certain circumstances, doctors can perform such an operation before the time limit for the purpose of saving the child's life.

How can I avoid hurting the baby with the umbilical cord?

You can avoid hanging the baby's cord with the umbilical cord. And you need to do this, based on the causes of this pathology.

A future mother needs to minimize nervousness and stressful situations. But this is, rather, the task of her family and friends, who must protect the woman from trouble and retraction into family problems. Also, a pregnant woman should often be out in the open air, engage in special physical education for future mothers, including breathing exercises. These measures are aimed at avoiding oxygen deficiency in the body of the future baby.

It is not superfluous to recall the need for the pregnant woman to comply with all the instructions and prescriptions of the attending physician. And the main advice to the future mother: do not take to heart stories about the terrible consequences of crocheting the baby's umbilical cord. Believe that this will not happen. After all, you yourself can remedy the situation. To do this, simply "convince" the child to take the right position, stroking himself on the belly and telling him how you love him.